How many displays would you add to this MacBook Pro workstation? [Setups]

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MacBook Pro setup with ultra-wide Samsung display
Would you add displays alongside or above this ultra-wide monitor, or replace it?
Photo: ryperl@Reddit.com

If you had a gigantic 49-inch curved ultra-wide display, would you dream of adding more external monitors to it? If so, would you stack them, or add one or two displays in portrait mode (vertical) on either side of the big screen?

A MacBook Pro user with a giant Samsung display is pondering those very questions.

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M2 MacBook Pro setup user with ultra-wide Samsung display ponders the multiple-monitor question

Redditor ryperl (“Ry”) showcased the solid setup in a post entitled, “This is my refreshed MacBook Pro M2 setup.” They run a 16-inch M2 MacBook Pro driving a 49-inch Samsung curved ultra-wide gaming display through a CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 dock. The other computers in the image are a smaller MacBook Pro and an HP laptop.

The huge Samsung display makes for a  lot of screen real estate, yet commenters seemed to think one display doesn’t cut it. Even if that display is a dual QHD monster (5120 x 1440 pixel resolution) with 1,000 nits of brightness, 120Hz refresh rate and plenty of other gaming chops!

“If I had that big of a space … I would have preferred 2-3 monitors instead of 1 big one,” one person offered.

“I could add a few more monitors, but I spent enough already so used what I had,” Ry replied. Then they added, “I did have two 49-inch monitors stacked but set up another station to the left. Will probably add some vertical monitors on the left and right. But honestly only one more is really needed.”

Leave it as is, or go multi-monitor?

So Ry is thinking about adding one or two displays in portrait mode on either side of the big Samsung. Granted, it’s a big desk, at 72 inches, but adding more monitors might be stretch (literally, on the neck, from craning left and right). But the commenter had other ideas.

“I would go with three 27-inch [displays] where two are horizontal at same height and third right above them horizontally at same height,” the person suggested.

So which of these would you do? (Feel free to add a comment, below, and check out the full gear list as well.)

  1. Leave it as is, one giant curved display.
  2. Keep the super-ultra-wide display but add two vertical (portrait mode) monitors on either side.
  3. Keep the big one, but add just one vertical monitor on one side.
  4. Ditch the Samsung and have two 27-inch displays side by side with a third one stacked on top (all horizontal, aka landscape).

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If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to info+setups@cultofmac.com. Please provide a detailed list of your equipment. Tell us what you like or dislike about your setup, and fill us in on any special touches, challenges and plans for new additions.

49-inch Samsung Odyssey CRG series curved monitor
$691.43

This dual-QHD (5120×1440) curved gaming monitor features a 120Hz refresh rate, QLED, HDR, height-adjustable stand and Radeon FreeSync (model LC49RG90SSNXZA).

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03/08/2024 01:01 am GMT

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